Folding umbrella.



Patented Aug. I9, |902.

No. 707,45l.

A. & F. SCHAEFER.

FOLDING UMBRELLA.

(Application led Feb. 28, 1902,)

No Model.)

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FOLDING Uil/IBRELLA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 707,451, dated August 19, 1902.

Application filed February 28, 1902. Serial No. 96,161. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern,.-

Beit known that we, ADAM SCHAEFER and 'FREDERICK ScHAnnnR, residing at Williamsport, in the county of Lycoming; and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and 1mproved Folding Umbrella., of which the following is a specification.

Our invention seeks to provide an improved construction ofthe framework of folding umbrellas, and especially to form the several parts in a manner that they can be coperatively, economically, compactly, and conveniently arranged and in which the telescopic handle and rib portions have a noveland simple means for maintaining them rigidly in their interlocked position when extended.

Again, our invention comprehends a special construction of telescopic rod members and automatically-operating locking devices therefor so arranged that the long slot in the tubular rod common in this type of umbrellas is dispensed with and the rod strengthened, said parts also having aspecial arrangement of locking devices whereby when it is desired to fold the umbrella it will only be necessary to impart a sudden pushV of the two rod members to automatically unlock them.

In its more subordinate features our invention embodies certain novel details of construction and peculiar combination of parts more especially relating to the telescopic ribs and the manner of joining them with each other and to the cap-piece of the rod,.all of which will hereinafter befully described, and specifically pointed out in the f appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section of a folding umbrella opened up for use. Figs. 2 and 2 are views, on an enlarged scale, of the telescopic stick or rod sections and their interlocking means. Fig. 2b is an enlarged detail View of the member 7. Figs. 3 anda are enlarged `detail views of the hinged joint por tion of the inner or slide member of the said sections. Fig. 5 is a view of said parts folded, one of the telescopic ribs being also shown in its attached folded position, the cover beingV omitted. Fig. 6 is a vertical section of one of the two-part telescopic ribs extended and the brace member joined therewith. Fig. 6

kis a section of the joint or meeting ends of the two sections. Flgs. 6b and Geare cross-sections of the same on the lines hb and c c, respectively. Fig. 7 is a section, on an enlarged scale, of one of the two-part ribs folded. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are sections of modified forms of the cap-piece, and Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate modified detent or lock devices for holding the rib-sections extended.

In the practical application of our invention the umbrella-stick is in theY nature of a tubular steel rod, formed of a lower section 1 and an upper section 1, the lower one of which joins with a handle 2 of any approved shape, while the uppercarries the cap-piece 8, the peculiar construction of which will hereinafter be explained.

At the lower end the section l has the usual runner-lock or spring device 3, with which the runner 19 engages in the usual manner,

j and at a suitable point the section 1a has a runner-stop 7 in the ordinary manner.

5 designates a tubular rod or core member held to slide within the rod 1 1, and the outer and inner rods when the parts are adjusted to their operative position, as shown in Fig. l, are rigidly held as one by a cross-pin 6, as clearly shown in Fig. l, by reference to which it will also be noticed the rod portion 5 carries the spring-latch or detent 7, the hook end 7 f of which passes through a slot 17 (see Fig. 2) in the section 5 and a short slot 18 in the outer tube-section 1, and the lower end of rod-section 51 does not extend down the full length of the outer tube, such relation of parts beingprovided to permit the two parts of the stick or rod portion of the umbrella being quickly adjusted for folding, such adjustment being effected by giving a sudden push in opposite directions on the upper and lower parts, which will cause the upper tube 1 to slip over the hook end of detent 7 and press it back out of engagement with the short slot 18. This peculiar relation of parts is advantageous, as it avoids weakening the tubular stick with a long slot, such` as is found in other folding umbrellas of the present type. As an additional means for holding the inner and outer tubes locked a second spring eis carried on the upper inner tubular section 5, whose heel-piece is rounded and IOO adapted to pass through a slot 17a in the part 5 and an aperture 18a in the part 1, that alines the slot 17a when the parts are opened up, as shown in Fig. 1. The rounded edge of the heel-4a permits the free shifting of the two stick parts or tubes, as aforesaid.

The inner tube-sections 5 5a have an ordinary link-hinge connection, (designated by the numerals 15 13 14, Figs. l, 2, 3, and 4,) and this connection when the parts are pulled apart for folding rises above the upper end of the tube-section l to permit the two parts folding upon each other, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

So far as described, it is manifest to adjust the stick part of the umbrella for folding it is only necessary to give a quick shove on parts 1 la to disengage the detents 7 and 4, pull therod 5 down until the point 5x is down below the cap to bring the hinge 14, 13, and 15 outside of tube l, and fold the parts back, as shown.

To provide for a rapid folding of all parts of our improved umbrella, we construct the ribs in the manner best shown in Figs. 5, 6, 6, 6b, 6c, 7, by reference to whichit will be seen each rib comprises an upper and a lower section 24 25, both U-shaped, the lower being of such cross-sectional size to slide freely within the upper U-.shaped section.

In the preferred construction the upper end of the member 25 has a Xedly-held U -shaped clip 25a, that straddles and rides on the member 24, and the lower end of member 24 likewise has a clip 242, that straddles the member 25; but the latter clip 24.a is bent to the shape of the member 25, (see Figs. 6, 6b,) whereby to provide for a tight closure of the brace-rods 32 within the member 25 when the parts are folded, as best shown in Fig. 5.

By joining the two rib members in the manner shown and described it is manifest they can be conveniently telescoped to a folding condition in a quick, positive, and convenient manner, without danger of tearing or otherwise injuring the cover, and, furthermore, by reason of shaping the lowerclip 24a as shown and described each rib, with its corresponding brace member 32, can bevery compactly folded. To hold the two rib-sections rigidly to their extended position, we provide a simple detent or catch, which when adj usted to an operative condition is disposed between the clip portions 25a and 24, and in the preferred form said catch is made by indenting the lower end of the member 24 at a point near its lower end-that is, at a point below where the clip 25t sets when the parts are extended asindicated by 24x and providing the upper end of the member 25 with a projecting nib (designated by 25X) which springs into engagement with the indentation 24x when the parts are as shown in Fig. 6, and holds the two rib-sections from accidental free movement on each other under ordinary usage.

In Figs. 11 and 12 is shown modified constructions of the lock or detent device just described. In Fig. 1l the lower rib member 25 is guided by the clip 24 only, and its upper end has a spring-hook 25C to engage the indentation 24". In Fig. 12 a similar construction is shown, the hook 255 being in the nature of a rigid heel-piece to engage in the part 24X.

To provide for conveniently removing any one of the ribs without disturbing the others and for conveniently attaching the cover, we construct the cap-piece 8 in the manner shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5, which shows a solid cappiece apertured for the passage of the stick and having an internally-threaded socket to engage the threaded end of the upper tubesection 1a. The lower end of the cap is of reduced diameter and terminates in a horizontal flange 8a, the peripheral edge of which has a series of radial notches 8b, one for each rib, and the radial projections 8 are flexible enough to admit of their being turned up to form a series of annular sockets Sd, adapted to receive the T-heads of the upper rib-sections 24 and to provide a restricted annular socket 8e for gathering and tying the crown part of the cover. Instead of making the cap-piece 8 as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5, the same may be modified, as shown in Fig. S, in which the radial members are shownkk bent downward and inwardly, or as shown in Fig. 9, in which a supplemental annular fiange 8f is used to cooperate with the upturned radial members, or as in Fig. 10, which shows a cap-piece having a rigid annular base-rim 8g and an intermediate rim 8h.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought the advantages of our improvement and the manner in which the same can be conveniently operated will be readily understood. It is evident when folded to adjust the same for use the inner tube can be slid down into the lower outer tube-section until the catch 7 alines the slot 18, at which time the two sections 1 1a will meet to form a complete stick, and at same time the member l will assume its locked position. The lower rib members can be conveniently drawn out to their limit and become interlocked. All of the several parts are then in condition to be opened out the same as an ordinary umbrella.

We are aware that folding umbrellas having sectional stick portions and telescopic ribs having means for automatically holding them to their extended positions have heretofore been provided. Our invention, so far as we know, differentiates from what has heretofore been done in this line in the peculiar construction of the parts constituting the foldable stick and the novel construction and correlation therewith of the rib members and the special lock means for holding the ribs to their extended positions.

Having thus described our invention, whatV lwe claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isv IOO ITO

l. A folding umbrella, comprising a stick composed of an outer and an inner tubular member, a tubular cap-piece iixedly secured upon the upper end of the outer tubular member, eXtensible ribs pivotallysecured to said cap-piece, the inner and outer tubular members each including an upper and a lower section, the lower sections of the said inner and outer tubular members being ixedly connected, the two sections of the inner member having a hinged joint, the upper section of the outer member with its attached cap being slidable upon the upper end of the inner tubular member, whereby to project above the tip end of the stick when the parts are folded, the cover secured to the cap, a single runner slidable on the stick, the braces joined with the said runner and the extensible ribs, and spring-actuated detents, one on the upper and one on the lower end of the stick for cooperating with the single runner, all being arranged substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

2. A foldable umbrella, comprising in combination, a stick consisting of an outer tubular member, formed of an upper and a lower section, a single runner slidable upon the stick,a detent on the lower section for engaging with the runner when the latter is pulled down, a tubular cap-piece xedly mounted on the upper end of the outer tubular member, the other section of said outer tubular member having an upper slot 1S and a lower slot 1S, an inner tubular member slidable within the outer tubular member, and composed of an upper and a lower section, the two sections being hinged together, and the lower section iixedly joined with the lower section of the outer tubular member,a spring-detent mounted on the upper section of the said inner member, adapted to project through the slot 18 of the outer member, when the inner and outer members are adjusted in vertical alinement, a spring-detent on the lower section of the inner member, adapted to engage the slot 18 of the outer member, and lock the lower sec'' tion of the inner member with the upper section of the outer member, whereby to hold the inner and outer stick portions from movement upon each other, said detents being arranged to automatically extend within the tubular member when the stick portions are adj usted to their folded position, the eXtensible ribs secured to the tubular cap-piece, the cover secured to said cap and ribs, and the brace secured to the single runner and the ribs, all being arranged substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

ADAM SCHAEFER. FREDERICK SCI'IAEFER.

Witnesses:

G. B. M. METZGER, J'. F. KATZMAIER. 

